Image projector with liquid crystal light shutter

Abstract

In an improved image projector with liquid crystal light shutter, a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystals contained in a liquid crystal light shutter at which the light modulated linearly in accordance with image signals is produced is of the thickness of less than a helical pitch of molecules of the liquid crystals whereby a response time becomes as fast as, for instance, 0.18 ms and the time sharing operation can be performed in the liquid crystal light shutter.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. An image projector with liquid crystal light shutter comprising, a liquid crystal light shutter being composed of an array of signal electrodes to which higher or lower voltage is applied in regard to a common voltage in accordance with image signals, a common electrode to which said common voltage is applied, and a layer of ferroelectric liquid crystals showing a chiral smectic phase which is positioned between said array of the signal electrodes and said common electrode,   a linear light source for irradiating said liquid crystal light shutter to produce the light modulated linearly by driving said signal electrodes in accordance with said image signals,   a liquid crystal light valve in which a light transmissive pattern is formed by the application of electric field due to the irradiation of light thereon,   first means for reflecting the linearly modulated light produced at said liquid crystal shutter thereby scanning said liquid crystal light valve on one surface thereof to form said light transmissive pattern therein,   a light source for irradiating said liquid crystal light valve on the other surface thereof to produce the light which is reflected from said liquid crystal light valve in accordance with said light transmissive pattern therein,   second means for reflecting the light reflected from said liquid crystal light valve in a direction of displaying a projected image, and   a screen for displaying said projected image by receiving the light reflected at said second means,   wherein said layer of the ferroelectric liquid crystals in said liquid crystal light shutter is of the thickness of less than a helical pitch of molecules of said ferroelectric liquid crystals.   
     
     
       2. An image projector with liquid crystal light shutter according to claim 1, further comprising a circuit for driving said array of the signal electrodes in said liquid crystal light shutter in such a manner that said array of the signal electrodes is divided into a plurality of groups to be driven in the time sharing operation.   
     
     
       3. An image projector with liquid crystal light shutter according to claim 1, further comprising electrophotographic recording apparatus including a photoconductor medium which is exposed to said linearly modulated light produced at said liquid crystal light shutter thereby producing a latent image there on, and means for producing a printed image on a recording medium through developing, transferring, and fixing stages.